Special Olympics Area meet 9/18/2018

Max swimming 50 Butterfly 9/15/2018

Max and Pennie

On August 6, 2018 our dog Pennie went to heaven. This morning Max was talking about Pennie and how long she had been gone. Pennie was 16 years old when she passed. We first got her when she was five years old. She was a fun loving dog that always made us smile.
Here is Max and Pennie after she went to the groomers. This photo is about five years old.

Pennie wanting a chip from Max.

One of Max's Pet Peeves

Last week I accidentally let Max's scrambled eggs touch his toasted raisin bread.

 Since then Max reminds me every morning to not let his toast touch his eggs. 

When Max was younger he would not eat ice cream, yogurt, jello, pudding, 

or any other food that was soft instead he would only eat

 crunching foods like, corn chips and popcorn. 

Kindergarten through 6th grade he ate waffles every morning with strawberry milk. 

Since then he only wants eggs and

 toasted raisin bread with cinnamon honey butter for breakfast. 

Max has always taken his lunch to school,

 because he is not sure he would like what they are offering. 

The last seven years he has been taking the same thing every day.

Max's lunch menu

three slices of homemade banana bread

three homemade oatmeal and raisin cookies

a raisin and nut bar

apple sauce

a bag of raisins

a bag of fresh carrots

three slices of ham

He also takes bottled water.

Max has never had a desire to eat candy or pop. 

I am trying to get him to taste new foods. 

Last night I made homemade french fries and he ate them. 

It made me smile. 

I wish I could get him to try enchiladas, lasagna, green beans, broccoli,

 and other casserole dishes that I make. 

Ever since Max was little he has never wanted to eat anything that is green. 

Like pickles, green beans, peas, olives, cucumbers, celery, lettuce. 

I hope someday he realizes that green food is yummy. 

Max was in the Gilbert High School Newspaper

Here is the link to the newspaper article

https://www.smore.com/ehuq2 

-----Department and Student News-----

Max Reynolds goes for Gold!

A HUGE Tiger shout-out to our own Max Reynolds, who did an amazing job

 in swimming at this past summer's Special Olympics in Seattle, WA.

 He won gold for the 100m and 50m freestyle swimming events!

 We are so proud of you, Max!

Please see https://issuu.com/timespub/docs/1_gsn_0715 for an article in the 

Gilbert Sun News about Max as well as his family's blog at http://maxwithautism.blogspot.com/. 

Please see below for some pictures from Special Olympics 

courtesy of Mrs. Raff!

********************

What really Matters?

Max has worked hard this week in school and at Evit. He comes home so excited to share what he had learned. Like that fact, bad people hack into other people’s computers. He brings up words I have never  heard him use before. It warms my heart to see him learning about the world we live in.

So many of the young men Max’s age are getting their mission calls to serve for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Max on the other hand is still in high school learning about the good and bad of the world that he should of comprehend years ago.

I’m not one who likes to compare my children to others because it can make or break a mother. But, I do see he is years behind those of his age. Young men that are Max’s age and even younger are working now that they are finished with high school. They are receiving their mission calls to foreign places and they are seeking out opportunities to be independent from their parents. In a way, it breaks my heart that Max is not there yet, but at the same time I know he will get where they are just not right now. I look back on how far Max’s has come. How much he has achieve and I see what a pure, healthy human being he has become. What I mean by healthy is he is not deceitful, mean, dishonest instead he is honest, helpful, kind and he always is truthful. He always is trying to work hard and learn. He is so fun to be around too. He is always positive and keeps a smile on his face from sun up to sun down. The most precious thing about Max is he is loving and friendly. He still tells me several times a day that I am beautiful.

As a mother, I have always wanted what is best for my children and have told myself the greatest advice I can give my children is to value an education. They need to make the right choices that will give them the opportunities to achieve a college degree.  My two oldest have master’s degrees, one an AA degree an another is a couple of classes short of having theirs.

When my other four children were Max’s age they were driving, dating, going to school functions and bringing their friends to our home. Max on the other hand is content with being home alone and watching others play games on YouTube. I keep telling myself he will someday have a desire to have friends over or go out and do activities with them. I will continue to encourage Max  to see the importance of socializing and building relationships with others. I can’t and will not tell others he is about the age of a fourteen years old, because in some ways he is, but in other ways he is not. He is  capable even though his interest  is at the age of a fourteen-year-old.

There is never a dull moment with having a special needs child. They are a blessing, but physically and mentally a lot of work to raise. Max was physically challenging when he was young and now it’s been mentally challenging to help him have more experiences to grow. Mentally hard to see him behind those of  his age, but I remind myself that he is where he needs to be and that is all that matters. 

Max was in the Gilbert Suns Newspaper!

How blessed I have been to be able 

to raise a special needs son.

 Life has had its ups and downs, and honestly its been hard,

 but I can say it's been worth it because it has given me the strength

to overcome my own obstacles. 

Being visually and hearing impaired 

and the struggles with having Congenital Rubella Syndrome. 

Have helped me to know how to help Max. 

Living with disabilities has given me insight of how to understand what he needs.  

I was told I would never be able to have children and I have been blessed with five.

 I love each one of my children. 

They have helped me to grow. 

I want Max to have experiences that typical people have

 and Special Olympics, Gilbert High Swim Team and

 Evo"s (Rio swim team) have given him that opportunity. 

They might not be at the same level as what a typical person might have, 

but for Max the experiences have been amazing.  

I cried when I read this article about Max because 

what was written is so true about him. 

I hope he can continue to have experiences like he did going

 to USA Special Olympics Games 2018

They have in the paper that Max's father name is Frank and that is a misprint. His name is Trent. 

Max's Eagle Court of Honor

Max in his Scout uniform  before Eagle Court of Honor

 The table set up in the room where we had the Eagle Court of Honor.

Tim Carroll telling about how to be an Eagle Scout. 

Max's oldest Brother in the Eagle nest just to the left with a blue shirt on. 

Max's oldest brother Michael read the poem below.

The Eagle

Written by Tom Lalor for Jonathan Lint

Twas the Eagle they chose, as a symbol of strength for a
new and mighty land.
That was forged in Truth, and Liberty; delivered
By God’s own hand.
That Eagle stands for Integrity and Pride
Throughout our age.
To remind us of the wars we’ve fought for
Freedom and the price we’ve paid.
And so it was when Lord Powell called on his troop
Of boys to be men,
That this symbol so strong, so pure and so proud
Was called to serve again.
Not every Scout can wear this badge, in fact they
Are but few
Who rise above their peers today to remind us of
What is true.
That Loyalty and being good will always be our aim,
That Courage and Faith are the best of us, that
The Eagle knows no shame.
These honored few who wear this badge walk
Among us to this day.
To exemplify the very best that we strive for,
So now we pray;
That God will bless and keep these Scouts always
In His sight.
For it is they, not us who know it best, the Eagle
Stands for Right.

Max taking the Eagle oath and repeating what his brother Malachi said. 

Here is the oath and Charge

I Maxwell Reynolds 

reaffirm my allegiance

to the three promises of the Scout Oath.

I will do my best to do my duty to God

And my country and to obey the Scout Law.

I will help other people at all times

And keep myself physically strong,

Mentally awake, and morally straight.

I thoughtfully recognize and take upon myself

The obligations and responsibilities

Of the rank of Eagle Scout.

I will at all times do my best

To assist other Scouts climbing the Eagle Trail,

Especially those of my own Troop, Team an Post.

I will help build America on the solid foundation

Of clean living, honest work and reverence to God.

I promise to make my training and example,

My rank and my influence

Count strongly for better Scouting

And for better citizenship in my family,

Church, community and country

And with my contacts with all people.

I realize that the Eagle rank

Is not the end but the beginning

To this I pledge my sacred honor!

 Max putting my mother's pin on. I now have three Eagle Scout sons.

Max putting the Father's pin on his father. 

Here is pinning it to his dad.

Max receiving his Eagle pin which fell apart.

Putting the broken Eagle pin on Max.

Putting Max's Eagle scarf on.

Putting the Eagle scarf holder on.

Max wanted to give five mentor pins.

 Because these men helped him

 along his journey to getting his Eagle. 

Mark Kitterman was one of Max's

 first leaders an he was a remarkable help to Max when he first started scouting. 

John Johnson was a help to believe he can achieve want he wants.

John Johnson supported Max in all of his life activities. From attending several of Max's baseball teams to attending his swim meets and taking pictures for Max to treasure.  

Jim Turley helped Max see the value of work and making every minute count. 

Tim Carroll influenced Max in ways that gave him the strength overcome obstacles. Tim Carrol and John Johnson hiked Mount Whitney with Max.  

Here is a link to the place they stayed for a week. 

http://www.mount-whitney.com/

Ted Morgan has been the most amazing influence in Max's life. Ted did not have any son's of his own only beautiful daughters, but Heavenly Father gave young men like Max to be an amazing role model too. Most of all of Max's swimming pictures were taken by Ted Morgan. 

He attended Max's swim meets and went the extra mile to help Max succeed. 

Paul Gibson spoke with Max about how he had never seen any scout say such kind things to the people that mentored them. 

The Mormon Battalion came and honored

 Max with a Scarf holder. 

He also shared a story about the Mormon Battalion. 

Max went to the Mormon Battalion twice and one time he found a snake. Here is the video of that experience. 

https://youtu.be/V_oOi7AFFdQ  

Max was so happy.